Modi embarks on West Asia visit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today embarked on a visit to three West Asian countries, including Palestine, during which he would hold talks on deepening cooperation in strategic areas such as security and trade.

The prime minister’s visit will begin from Palestine on February 10 after transiting through Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah II.

Describing the Gulf and West Asian region was a “key priority” in India’s external engagement, Modi ahead of his visit said his trip was aimed at strengthening ties with the region.

He said it would be his fifth visit to the Gulf and the West Asian region since 2015.

“This region is a key priority in our external engagement. We enjoy vibrant multi-dimensional ties with the countries here. I look forward to strengthening India’s growing and important ties with West Asia and the Gulf region through the visit,” Modi said in his departure statement.

Noting that this would be the first-ever prime ministerial visit to Palestine from India, Modi said he was looking forward to his discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirming India’s support for the Palestinian people and the development of Palestine.

Describing the Gulf country as a “valued strategic partner”, Modi said that India has fast-tracked cooperation with the UAE in all major spheres, including economy, energy, high technology and security.

“I will be discussing our progress in these areas and more in my meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,” Modi said in his post.

He said he will also be addressing the 6th edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where India is the guest country.

During the visit, Modi said he will engage with leading UAE and Arab CEOs in Dubai on the vast economic opportunities in India and what more can be done to bolster business collaboration.

Noting that Oman was a close maritime neighbor with whom India enjoys excellent relations, Modi said in the last leg of his trip from February 11-12, he will visit the country for the first time as prime minister and will hold talks with the Sultan of Oman and other key leaders.

“I shall also interact with leading businesspersons of Oman on developing stronger economic and business links with India,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister said that on the evening of February 11, he will meet the Sultan of Oman.

Modi said he will also meet Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq Al Said, during his visit.

“In both Oman and the UAE, I will have the opportunity to meet the large Indian Diasporas that have made those countries their home,” Modi said.

More than nine million Indians work and live in the Gulf region, of which about one third live in the UAE alone. In Oman, they constitute the largest expatriate community, he noted.-PTI

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